Improvement in portable cooking apparatus



8 Sheets-Sheet 14 C. NIKIFOROFF.

Portable Cooking Apparatus.

Patented July 23,1878.

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(10/1 .rfa. niv/fnn 65 3 SheetsSheet 2L 0. NIKIFOROPP.

Portable Cooking Apparatus. No. 206,349.

nted, July 23,1878.

NJETERS. FHOYO-LITNOGRAPHEFL WASHINGTOM D C 8 Sheets-Sheet 3.

G. NIKIPOROPP.

Portable Cooking Apparatus. No. 206,349. Patented July 23,1878.

gamiantinmfirq f? UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIGE.

(TONS'IANTIN NIKIFOROFF, OF \VARSAV, RUSSIAN EMPIltl'l.

IMPROVEMENT IN PORTABLE COOKING APPARATUS.

Specifical ion forming part ofLetters Patent No. 206,349, dated July 2.3, 1878; n 'iplieation filed February 26, 1878 patented in England, December 4, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CONSTANTIN NIKIFO- ROFF, of Varsaw, in the Russian Empire, colonel. of artillery, have invented an Improved Portable Cooking Apparatus; and do hereby declare that the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying sheets of drawings, hereinafter referred to, forms a full and exact specification of the same, wherein I have set forth the nature and principles of my said improvements, by which my invention may be distinguished from others of a similar class, together with such parts as I claim, and desire to secure by Letters latentthat is to say:

My invention relates to an improved portable cooking apparatus, more partieularlyapplicable for use in camp and with an army in action, the apparatus being so arranged that while occupying comparatively little space it will cook rapidly and in the most perfect manner the quantity of food required for a considerable number of men, the cooking being carried on even while the apparatus is following an army on the march, so as to be ready at any time to provide a meal. for the men when a suitable opportunity presents itself.

M y improved apparatus is shown on the accompanyin drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a side elevation of the apparatus. Fig. 2 shows a central vertical section. Fig. 3 shows a plan of the top with section through the chimney. Fig. 4. shows a plan of the under side; and Fig. 5 shows a slightly modified form of the apparatus for cooking by steam.

The metal ealdron or receptacle A, surrounded by a jacket, 1;, filled with non-conducting material to prevent loss of heat, has contrally a tapering fire-chamber, O, at the lower wider end of which is the fire-grate D, by preference projecting down below the bottom of A, as shown, so as to afford as much heatingsurfaee in the chamber 0 as possible. The fuel is fed into the chamber through the hopper E at top, which is closed by a cover, and from the side of which branches the chimney-flue F, which is curved over the hopper so as to rise centrally, the lower part being formed, as shown in section at Fig. 3, to allow of access to the hopper. WVithin the latter is a cylindrical shield, E, having a hole in its side corresponding with that of the flue F, and

capable of being turned by means of the han dle E so as to close the hole leading into the flue more or less, and thus to regulate the draft.

The fire-grate I) is of basket shape, as shown, fitting with an annular projection on its under side into the central hole of the supporting-bars D, and having a convex perforated bottom, D, fitted therein, so that a great amount of surface is offered for the access of air to the fuel, thus enabling every description of fuel to be burned therein. Surrounding the basket is a ring, I), having projecting studs, which enter between the bars of the grate, as shown at Fig. 2, and having a lever, D proj ecting laterally therefrom, by means of which a rapid to-andfro motion can from time to time be imparted to the grate, so as, by the shaking action, to clear it of ashes. Within the ealdron A is suspended a second cal. dron, Gr, by preference of copper, and of annular form, so as to surround the central firechamber, water-spaces being made to inter vene between this, as also between the sides and bottom of the outer ealdron, A, and the inner ealdron, as shown. rests with a rim, G, in an accurately-fitting groove in the rim A. of the'caldron A, so that, while the two parts fit steam-tight together, the ealdron G can be readily removed from A by raising it by means of the handles G when required, for cleaning or repairs. The outer ealdron is filled with water up to the level shown in Fig. 2, which is determined by the gage-cock H, and the part of the chamber 0 above the water-line, as also the corresponding part of G, are both jacketed with non-conducting material, so as to prevent heat being radiated directly from the former to the latter. The ealdron G constitutes the receptacle for the food to be cooked, the cooking being effected by the heat transmitted from the firechamber O through the water surrounding the ealdron. Owing to the considerable difference of temperature existing between the water surrounding the fire-chamber and that at the outer circumference of the ealdron an effec' tual circulation thereof is maintained. The ealdron G is closed at top by a cover, I I, the middle part, I, of which, carrying the hopper and flue, is secured to the outer caldron, A, by means of lugs and screwbolts at The ealdron G In the part I is provided, first, a safety valve or plug, L, for letting oft" steam from the inner caldron, G, and another safetyvalve, M, to the outer caldron, the latter v serving also to charge this caldron with water.

At the bottom ofA is provided a cock, N, through which the water can be drawn oft, and an opening in the bottom. of the inner caldron, closed by a screw-plug, is provided at O, for drawing oft the contents. The outer caldron is provided with lugs at l? I, by which it can be suspended in a light framin on wheels when required for transport, and it has also loops at Q, through which poles can be passed for carrying it by hand. Lastly, it is provided with feet R, by which it is supported on the ground.

In the modification of the apparatus shown at Fig. 5, for cooking by steam instead of by direct fire-heat, the only alteration consists in the removal of the fire-grate and chimney-flue, the space 0 being closed by covers, so as to be available for heating food. The steam is introduced through the cock II and pipe 11, leading from any convenient source of steam, and the water of condensation is discharged through the cock T.

Having thus described the nature of myinvention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim in respect of portable cooking apparatus- 1. In combination with the firing-chamber O, the basket-shaped fire-grate D, ring 1), with shaking-lever D and the fuel-hopper E, with regulating-valve E and side flue F, sub stantially as herein described.

2. The combination, with the receptacle A and caldron G, of the cover composed of the central stationary hopper and flue, supporting portion 1, and the hinged flaps I, secured by suitable clamps, substantially as described.

3. The combination of the receptacles A and G, fire-chamber (l, grate D, fuel-hopper l regulating-valve E, side flue F, and hinged cover I I, constituting an improved portable cooking apparatus, substantially as herein described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses this 24th day of January, 1878.

CONSTANTIN NIKTFOROFF.

\Vitnesses:

l). ROSENBAI'M, OIIN JAwLnn. 

